Mig puddle, settings

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Got the Hobart 140 set up with the flux core it came with. Tried it on some 1/8" angle.Can't really see the puddle clearly like when I tried the 220v Lincoln Mig at VOTEC, on   1/4" plate. Went lighter on the helmet shade, still not seeing it well.Your thoughts?Next, I know the taps are voltage, but what values?The wire speed data is in the manual, but what are the (generally) amperage values for the wire speed settings? Are they percentage of the 140A max?Thanks forward!I have found the breaker on the 15A circuit I'm on works well.I'll run a dedicated 20A shortly, after I get over the price of 12/2 romex.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:Is it because you are using flux core. Get some 75/25 and solid wire. Flux core is smokyMiller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:Amperage is based on several things. One is which voltage tap you are on. 2nd is what wire size and speed you are using. In theory everything else being the same, a faster wire speed generally gives you a higher amperage up to a certain point. Past that the wire can't carry any more amperage, hence why larger wire usually means more amps. Last is your distance from the work to the tip of the gun. With mig, the closer the distance from work to tip given everything else staying the same, the higher the amperage.Mig is a constant voltage process. With little machines like that, each tap will correspond to a certain voltage using a certain wire size. I believe Hobart includes a rough volt amp diagram in the manual.Under real world conditions 1/8" is about the max that machine will do if you expect sound welds. Running on a 15 amp line, even though you don't trip the breaker, chances are you are starving that machine for power. You really need that dedicated 20 amp line to do 1/8" and it sounds like you are seeing this..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Go darker on your setting and clean off your face shield. By this point in your career...... when you can't "see" your weld, you should be able to hear it.What does it sound like?Soft, hard, crisp, sputtering, etc?Post some photos.Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Agreed on the importance of arc sound. Bead sounds pretty crisp, but not quite like 6010 crisp, I'm trying to back off on stick out a little staying around 1" with the flux core. I went lower and higher than the chart just to see, and it went as expected. It sputters sometimes on dirty spots or when I didn't chip / brush. These are the initial practice beads on the practice station.I get what you say on the taps and speed vs. voltage / amperage relationship, but much of what I read, including recommended hood shade settings, which I am just using as a rule of thumb reference and go by what I see and how my eyes feel, refer to amperage specifically.Part of my question is about my welds, part is in understanding theory. Got the materials to add a 20A ckt today, I understand the limits of the 110V GMAW machine, but I do want the machine to breathe to its potential. I'm a stick welder first; smoky flux is not what I'm referring to. I picked ups some .030 solid so I'll hook up the gas, but I still want to be profiecient with the flux core as well.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.